Critical Praise for Diamond District:

"If Diamond District is any indication, DMV really does have what Oddisee refers to as 'the hottest edition of what you’ve been missing.'" - HipHopDX.com

"On 'Back To Basics,' the MCs liken themselves to the '93 version of De La Soul. While it's a bit too early to go that far, Diamond District comes close." - PrefixMag.com

"In the Ruff (Mello Music Group) recalls hip-hop from yesteryear (and sometimes Slum Village at their best), but remains quite forward thinking nonetheless... Simultaneously thoughtful and rugged, intelligent and funky, Diamond District have created an excellent album that will hopefully fly way above the radar as 2010 approaches." - LostAtSea.net

The Song:

The multi-talented emcee and producer Oddisee is back to the boom-bap with his "Kansas Bay (South Central Remix)". After finding success with the celebrated Diamond District crew, Oddisee has stepped back out on his own with a new 24-track instrumental album, Traveling Man. Inspired and informed by his journeys to Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, Oddisee has captured the sounds of hip-hop the world over on Traveling Man, out now digitally and available as a limited edition vinyl pressing on February 23rd. The sonic voyage continues with the "Kansas Bay (South Central Remix)" featuring Kansas City native, Stik Figa. The Midwest meets the West Coast in this re-imagining, which finds Stik Figa riding the wave of a beat steeped in G-funk and dripping with bass best suited for a low rider. As Oddisee explains, "Bay Area hip-hop has been popular in Kansas for years, and Stik Figa uses a Too $hort-esque flow to tell the comedic story of an out-of-towner's unfortunate luck on 'Kansas Bay'." Prepare yourself for your sonic travels, and let Oddisee guide you on this aural adventure from the heartland to the left coast and back again.

Oddisee's Traveling Man is available digitally via Mello Music Group.

"Kansas Bay (South Central Remix)" Feat. Stik Figa: http://media.audibletreats.com/Oddisee-Kansas_Bay_Feat_Stik_Figa.mp3

Please contact Michelle or Dan if interested in talking with Oddisee

Please post pre-order & buy links!
Traveling Man:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/traveling-man/id348105642
Traveling Man vinyl:
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store/detail.asp?=Oddisee-Traveling-Man-Mello-Music-Group&UPC=MEL007LP
Traveling Man limited edition slimline:
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store/detail.asp?=Oddisee-Traveling-Man-SLIMLINE-CASE-SPECIAL-UGHH.COM-PRE-RELEASE-Mello-Music-Group&UPC=MEL007CD

Background:

Since producing and performing the hit track "Musik Lounge" for DJ Jazzy Jeff's Magnificent LP, Amir "Oddisee" Mohamed has pushed his involvement in the music industry into fifth gear. Taking advantage of working at A Touch of Jazz studios, Oddisee has incorporated the neo soul vibe of Philly into his eclectic and well-decorated resume. Coming from a diverse background, the half Sudanese, half African-American was blessed with musical talent from both sides of his family. Oddisee was influenced by the accomplished singers, guitarists, and poets on his Sudanese side, and on his American side, by the gospel singers, blue grass guitar players, and older cousins who gave him his first taste of hip-hop. Ironically, though, it was his Sudanese father that gave Oddisee the vinyl that fueled his passion for producing hip-hop music.

Since turning his focus towards hip-hop, Oddisee has worked with the likes of Gary Shider of Parliament and Funkadelic, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Talib Kweli, J-Live, Little Brother, Freeway, Flying Lotus, and many other respected recording artists. Now signed with Mello Music Group, Oddisee continues to be one of the hardest working producer/emcees in hip-hop, preparing to release an instrumental project, a solo project, a second Diamond District album, full album production for Finale, Trek LIfe, and Stik Figa, and is executive producing a handful of other projects. With his incredibly distinctive and mesmerizing style, Oddisee covers just about every sect of hip-hop music, creating a sound that is appealing to all music lovers. Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Maryland, Oddisee and his "Low Budget" crew, including such hip hop artists and producers as Kev Brown, Kenn Starr, and his group Diamond District (XO and yU) have already managed to leave their mark on the hip-hop community and the D.C. metropolitan area.

About Mello Music Group:

Like Lao Tzu in hip-hop, Mello Music Group provides music for the soul, from the heart of American culture, opening the realm of the intelligent hip-hop experience through melodic evocations, beats that corroborate the truth, and voices that roar above the rising void and impose order on the terrible & triumphant moments of everyday life. This is the compelling sound of Mello Music Group. Industry newcomer Michael Tolle founded MMG in 2007 and is acting Director of Operations. MMG will be releasing projects from Oddisee, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kenn Starr, Finale, Trek Life, Dudley Perkins, Sareem Poems, and YU in 2010. http://www.myspace.com/mellomusicgroup